Senate Resolution No. 3319

BY: Senator RITCHIE

COMMENDING Second Lieutenant Shawn G. Sutter upon
the occasion of his designation as a recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of individuals who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, nobly risking
their own lives in an effort to preserve the life of another; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Second Lieutenant Shawn G. Sutter upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed
upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, On June 21, 2020, Lieutenant Shawn G. Sutter was eating
with his family at a restaurant in Watertown, New York, when his wife
stated she heard an individual scream that someone was choking; and

WHEREAS, Without hesitation, Lieutenant Shawn G. Sutter sprang into
action, running back to a group of people where he found a woman on her
knees with a baby in her hands; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Shawn G. Sutter asked the woman to give him her
baby and immediately began performing the Heimlich maneuver on the
three-month-old infant; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 15 seconds after beginning the Heimlich
maneuver, Lieutenant Shawn G. Sutter began to feel the baby breathing
again and her skin, which during the ordeal had turned to purple, began
to return to its normal tone; and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Shawn G. Sutter currently serves as a security
manager with the 584th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion of the 10th
Mountain Division; and

WHEREAS, In addition to serving our country, Lieutenant Shawn G.
Sutter, through his life-saving actions, has demonstrated that members
of our military are always there to protect individuals from harm,
whether on the battlefield or in their communities; and

WHEREAS, Justly recognized as a hero, Lieutenant Shawn G. Sutter
richly merits the admiration of this Legislative Body and his community
for his consummate courage, heroic actions and unwavering service to our
nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Second Lieutenant Shawn G. Sutter upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed
upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Second Lieutenant Shawn G. Sutter.